Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Falling By E.K. Blair

Synopsis:

Sometimes it takes someone else to show us what we are truly capable of becoming.

Suffering from years of violent abuse, Ryan Campbell has learned how to keep people from getting too close. But when you shut yourself off, people get hurt along the way. Never caring much about others, Ryan creates a world in which he doesn’t have to feel. When Ryan meets Candace Parker, all of his walls slowly begin to crumble. Not sure of the truth of who she is, he feels his mind is playing tricks on him. Unable to force out the thoughts that consume him, Ryan is haunted by visions that torment him every time he looks at her. He finds himself swallowed by guilt and blame, but he’s unwilling to turn his back on the one person that could possibly save him.You’ve heard Candace’s story in Fading, now hear Ryan’s.

Clare's review:

Wooooooooo. I need a cookie. Or wine. Probably both. Probably definitely. This is a heavy and emotional book, because it deals with a very difficult subject matter. At the same time, it is a lovely story of love and friendship. That being said, it takes some time to get through.I'd like to start with a bit about the series as a whole. Each book actually could be read as a stand alone....but they are best read in order. One thing I would caution against is reading Fading back to back with Falling. There is a lot of overlap in the story (duh, but you know what I mean). I reread Fading so there was a lot of redundancy that took away from the story a bit. BUT, if I hadn't JUST read the first one, I would have been deeper involved in the ENTIRE book. As it was, I got very deep into the new parts and Ryan's perspective. Feeling what Ryan did through dealing with Candace's attack was...tough. Whew. And his thoughts and feelings explain a lot about the things that he did. I also loved the ending. You really get a sense of closure and a sense of relief after all this turmoil and pain.So again, give yourself a little space between books, but it is very worth a read when you're ready for something emotional and heartfelt, with a bit of cute and a good bit of sensuality! The author did an incredible job of leading me through a recovery process and helping me to understand. 4 stars

EXCERPT:

I drop my head in myhands and let it out. It’s a haze of unrecognizable emotions beating throughme. To look past this and let her continue to sit and do nothing is somethingthat I don’t think I’m capable of. But Jase is right. My girl is so damnfragile even though she’s so damn strong. It’s a paradox that’s hard to dealwith. She’s gonna break one way or another.

Irritation boils inside, and the longer I sit here it starts to eat away at me until ittakes over and I stand up, kicking over the stool, screaming, and smashing myglass against the brick wall behind the bar followed next by the bottle. Theblast of glass shattering and sprinkling to the floor is all I hear through theringing in my head. I grab my keys, leaving the mess, and head to my jeep.

I drive. Making my way back to my loft and upstairs to find Candace standing inmy closet, slipping on a sweater.

“Why didn’t you do anything?” I ask, unable to control my frustration.

She turns to look at me, confused, when she asks, “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t make me say it.”

“Ryan, please. Don’t,” she says and then walks past me to sit on the edge of the bed.

USA Today bestselling author and International Amazon bestselling author, E.K. Blair takes her readers on an emotional roller coaster with her FADING series. A former first grade teacher with an imagination that runs wild. Daydreaming and zoning out is how she was often found in high school. Blair tends to drift towards everything dark and moody. Give her a character and she will take pleasure in breaking them down, digging into their core to find what lies underneath.

Aside from writing, E.K. Blair finds pleasure in music, drinking her Starbucks in peace, and spending time with her friends. She's a thinker, an artist, a wife, a mom, and everything in between.